Mobile missile complexes: Russia’s nuclear shield future

Yars missiles are to replace Soviet-manufactured Topols in the next 10 years. They can ensure Russia’s minimum combat readiness amid the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile defence shield.

The Teykovskaya Division
of Russia’s Strategic Missile Troops located in the Ivanovo region is the first
division fully rearmed with the new Topol-M (SS-27) and RS-24 Yars
intercontinental ballistic missile systems. Later, Yars is to be introduced in
more Strategic Missile Troops units.

Russia’s
Strategic Missile Troops are among a few remaining parts of the military
machine that ensure Russia’s security as the government realises the
significance of keeping the rocket forces in order. However, the recent
rearmament and upgrade of the missile troops was also greatly contributed by
the Moscow-based Institute of Thermal Technology and Votkinsk Machine Building
Plant which designed and manufactured Topol, Topol-M and Yars intercontinental
ballistic missiles.

Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile. Source: RIA Novosti

Back in
1997, when the mass production of the silo-based Topol-M missiles began,
military officials knew that the silo-based and mobile missiles, as well as
Topol-based Yars rockets, will be the main weapon of the Missile Troops. Mobile
complexes were considered to be the most promising systems, though silo
launchers were perfectly safe and technically flawless already in the late
1980s. They were capable of protecting a missile mounted onboard even from a
nearby nuclear explosion but failed to protect it from precision-guided
munition directly hitting a silos lid. In the 1990s, precision-guided weapons
were showcased in all their glory.

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Mobile
complexes gained more importance after Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama signed
the START-3 Treaty limiting strategic weapons. The paper removed limitations on
the areas of basing and deploying mobile complexes so now it’s impossible to
predict where from a launch could be conducted. This hampers locating and
intercepting a missile. Thus, mobility appears to be a more secure protection
than a silo made of tons of reinforced concrete and centimetres of armour
steel.

Yars
missiles are to replace Soviet-manufactured Topols in the next 10 years. If the
military men make it, they will ensure Russia’s minimum combat readiness amid
the deployment of a US anti-missile defence shield. Maximum readiness depends
on strategic nuclear forces funding. Mobile complexes also need protection,
namely deployment in the areas protected by aerospace defence systems which
will secure missile complexes from an unexpected strike. This will prevent
losses and guarantee total destruction of any potential aggressor. As the Cold
War has shown, this will be enough not to turn a cold war into a heated battle.